EFoil rider causes a splash in Kingston
Gliding and speeding along, Phill Yendt is used to causing a wave of commotion from the water. But that’s not hard to do when you’re hovering above it.
Yendt spends his days on his electric hydrofoil board, also known as an eFoil.
“It’s sort of a hoverboard-type surfboard,” he laughs.
He can be seen daily, flying and swooping through downtown Kingston’s waterfront.
"When I’m riding it. It just feels like I’m flying above water,” he says.
The surfboard platform connects to a propeller, with a rechargeable battery. A handheld Bluetooth controller runs the propeller, giving you speed, and drives the rider through the water.
Yendt says some models can reach up to 48 kilometres an hour, and the battery can last more than an hour. After picking it up three years ago, Yendt says staying on top is all in the hips.
“It’s just minor movements. A little bit of hip, a little bit of ankle, a little bit of everything now, really,” he explains. “It just takes practice, doing it over and over.”
However, the fun doesn’t come cheap. Yendt says models range from $12,000 to more than $15,000 Canadian.
Yendt says that thanks to a wet suit to keep him warm, he gets use out of the watersport equipment almost all year long.
"It’s pretty magical. It’s pure joy," he says. “People keep talking about mental health these days. This puts a smile on my face. Every day.”
Yendt comes out almost every day to the downtown docks, and the unique sport draws curious onlookers.
“I definitely would like to try it,” says Karen McConnell.
“I think we should all have one actually,” says her mother Doris McConnell.
“It’s pretty cool,” says Karen Blundell as she walks by. “I think I’d fall over if I got on it.”
Yendt says it’s growing in popularity in Kingston, and he even teaches lessons in both Kingston and Prince Edward County, for those who want to give it a try.
“It’s the most unique water sport out there and it’s the future it’s here,” he says.
eFoils are so far illegal in Canada due to a Transport Canada regulation prohibiting propeller driven surfboards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
4th Indian national arrested, charged with murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Homicide investigators in B.C. say murder charges have been laid against a fourth Indian national in connection to the killing of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar outside a Surrey gurdwara last year.
Man arrested after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Switzerland's Nemo wins 68th Eurovision Song Contest
Swiss singer Nemo won the 68th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with 'The Code,' an operatic ode to the singer’s journey toward embracing their nongender identity.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.